DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
A department seeking approval for new or modified undergraduate degree requirements (including requirements for a major, minor, concentration, specialization, etc.) submits the proposal to the Council on Educational Policy (CEP) for review (Flow chart of approval process-Appendix P). The Request for Approval of New or Modified Undergraduate Degree Requirements Form is used to submit the information and must be included in the proposal packet (Appendices L and M) .
The Regents have delegated to the Academic Senate responsibility for authorization and supervision of curricula (Standing Orders of the Regents 105.2 Duties, Powers and Privileges of the Academic Senate ). In accordance with this delegation the Irvine Division’s CEP must approve new or modified undergraduate degree requirements to be offered on the Irvine campus before they may be taught or information regarding them be announced in any University catalogue, schedule, or other printed or electronic publications, including external publications such as newspapers or magazines.
If modifications are proposed, the department must clearly outline the old requirements (a copy of the current text from the UCI General Catalogue usually is sufficient and is the preferred format) as well as what changes are being proposed.
It is very important that the department clearly explain what is being proposed and the rationale behind it. The rationale can be longer than the space provided on the form; it is acceptable to attach an additional page if necessary. It also is important for the department to specify how the new UCI General Catalogue text should read.
As part of the rationale, the impact the proposed new or modified undergraduate degree requirements will have, if any, on other undergraduate and graduate courses and programs at UCI must be discussed.
- If the major includes courses and faculty participation from related fields or other departments, letters of agreement or support from the department chair(s) (or equivalent) must be included.
- A letter from the Dean of the proposing School is required.
- A letter from the University Librarian or designate, must be included in all proposals for all new degree programs and for changes requiring new or additional library acquisitions.
Proposals for new undergraduate majors: The major must be included in the most recent five-year plan. If it is not currently on the plan it may be added by emailing the office of the Vice Provost for Academic Planning.
Refer to the following appendicies when proposing new majors and minors:
Guidelines for Establishing Undergraduate Majors – Appendix N
Guidelines for Constructing Minor Programs – Appendix O
Major-Change Criteria: Units proposing to have major-change criteria beyond the existing Academic Senate guidelines regarding normal progress (defined in Irvine Regulation A385 and 390) must submit their proposed criteria, or changes to previously approved criteria, to the CEP Policy Subcommittee (Appendix Q).
- Major-change criteria for new majors should be submitted to CEP as part of the proposal packet. Major-change criteria should be submitted separately from admissions or transfer requirements.
- When submitting major-change criteria there must be a justification statement (contact the Senate office for Guidelines) and a table showing the criteria.
- Academic units have two opportunities a year to request that CEP modify the major-change criteria: fall and spring quarters.
The Standing Orders of the Regents state, “No change in the curriculum of a college or professional school shall be made by the Academic Senate until such change shall have been submitted to the formal consideration of the faculty concerned.” Please designate who comprises the “faculty concerned” for the purposes of the proposal for new or modified undergraduate degree requirements. In most cases the appropriate response will be “the members of the Physics Department” or “the core faculty of Women’s Studies” or “the core faculty and the affiliated faculty of Women’s Studies.” However, some interdisciplinary majors and minors will require a more specific response. In addition, the faculty vote must be included in the proposal: Number eligible to vote, number recommending approval, number against approval, number of abstentions, and number absent or on sabbatical leave.
Catalogue Deadlines
For consideration for inclusion in the UCI General Catalogue, all proposals for New or Modified Degree Requirements must be submitted by a May deadline. This deadline is announced early in the fall quarter.